RL WC 2017 : 2nd Weekend Summary

Australia scoring against France

Game 1: This could have been anything on the scoreboard with France on the wrong end of it. However, after 30 minutes it was 6-6 with France showing resilience that has sadly been lacking in at times in the past. From there on in Australia took over, leading 20-6 at the break and taking it comfortably. I though France's performance was outstanding, considering the standard of the opposition.

Final score: Australia 52-6 France. Attendance: 12,293.

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Game 2: Scotland drew with the Kiwis last year but a less experienced Braveheart side wasn't looking like much resistance. What I didn't expect was the error ridden effort they put in. NZ didn't need that sort of leg up and was ahead 28-0 when they trundled off for a breather. It got worse after that, despite the visitors claiming one soft try.

Final score: New Zealand 74-6 Scotland. Attendance 12,130.

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Game 3: You would have to say the game of the round here. Two passionate sets of supporters and two teams that take the game to their opponent. Samoa had the better of recent encounters but Tonga looked the stronger for this match. Tonga dominated the first half but only led 14-6 going in at half time. They pulled away in the second period but two late tries to Samoa brought a closer scoreline at the end.


Final score: Tonga 32-18 Samoa. Attendance 18,156.

                                                 
                                               
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Game 4: England took on Lebanon with a healthy contingent of Lebanese in the crowd that are residents of Sydney. In the first half England were in control and led 22-6 after 40 minutes. For the second 40, it was much closer and although Lebanon didn't look like winning, England as usual struggled to score more points.

Final score: England 29-10 Lebanon. Attendance 10,237.

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Game 5: PNG came off a huge win and the question was could they do it again? Ireland were a very different opponent , taking an early 6-0 lead. PNG fought back with two unconverted tries to lead 8-6 as the half time hooter sounded. It was tight in the second half in an error strewn but exciting game but the locals wrapped it up with a late converted try.

Final score: PNG 14-6 Ireland. Attendance: 14,800 (capacity).

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Game 6: Meanwhile in Townsville, Italy and the USA met. Both had lost their opening game so a first up win was there for one of them. As it transpired, Italy were too good, taking a comfortable 28-0 lead by half time and going on to inflict the first nil score of the tournament.

Final score: Fiji 46-0 Wales. Attendance 7,732.

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Game 7: Later at the same ground rampant Fiji took on a struggling Wales. Early on it was 6-6 but that was as good as it got for Wales. They were run off the park by a team that is big, powerful, quick and skillful. The break came with 42-6 scoreline and Fiji scoring a point a minute. They couldn't quite manage that for the whole game but 14 tries was some haul.

Final score: Fiji 72-6 Wales. Attendance 7,732.

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Summary: France were gutsy, New Zealand looked slick, and England put in a laboured performance. PNG won the arm wrestle, Italy got back on track and Fiji look ominous. The game of the round was Tonga v Samoa, in front of a packed crowd of delirious fans supporters. Tonga got one over their rivals this time but the fact was RL was the winner.

Pic source: RLEF.

For the 3rd Weekend Summary, just click here.
For the 1st Weekend Summary, just click here.